The Ministry of Education, along with six other government departments, jointly issued a new policy document on Tuesday aimed at improving teachers' welfare and enhancing their social status.

The document outlines new measures to further strengthen care and support for teachers nationwide, covering healthcare, cultural enrichment, daily services, housing and other areas.

Local education departments are urged to organize free annual health checkups for teachers, provide regular mental health counseling and seminars, and establish individual health records for teachers.

Authorities are also encouraged to facilitate teachers' access to medical services and launch tailored health education programs.

The measures also propose cultural benefits, encouraging public facilities such as museums, galleries, science centers and youth activity venues to offer discounted or free entry to teachers. Efforts will also be made to enrich teachers' cultural lives through activities in the arts and sports.

The document calls on enterprises to offer exclusive discounts for teachers and urges state-owned banks to provide personalized financial services to address their daily needs.

Local governments are encouraged to offer reduced fares for teachers using public transportation, such as buses and subways.

Eligible teachers will be included in urban housing assistance programs to help alleviate housing difficulties. In addition, social organizations are encouraged to support teachers in these areas through donations and volunteer services.

The China Teacher Development Foundation launched a public welfare project to respect and support teachers in late August, ahead of the 40th Teachers' Day this year.

Yu Weiyue, director of the ministry's department of teacher education, said at the launch that the project is a key move in improving teachers' welfare and safeguarding their rights.

In September, the first batch of 17 companies introduced long-term discount policies for teachers, covering areas such as financial services, household appliances, transportation and the purchase of cars and housing, according to the ministry.

A mobile platform for teachers will also be developed to provide a comprehensive directory of support programs, which will be open to the public, according to the document.

Peng Minjie, a secondary school English teacher in Beijing, said she was encouraged by the potential housing assistance for educators. "Housing is a crucial factor that affects a person's decision to become a teacher," she said.

Many teachers around her are burdened by housing loans or inconvenienced by long commutes, she added.

She also noted that the healthcare and cultural benefits could have a more significant impact in second- and third-tier cities, as some existing policies already cover teachers in the capital.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn